Saffron Robe Offering or Kathin Ceremony on Sunday, October 28, 2551

Kathin means sewing the robe. In this context, Bon Kathin means Saffron Robe Offering that arranged to offer Buddhist monks who have been staying in one particular place during 3 months of rain retreat. This year BE.2551 (2007) starts from July 30 to October 26. These complete 3 months Buddhist Lent hibernation of Bhikkhu Monks significantly qualifies their receiving of Saffron Robe Offering. This offering is remarkably addressed by Lord Buddha as a rare ceremony of the year and the Kathin ceremony hosts can gain tremendous merit. Around the world, Buddhists are obligate to host this ceremony. Bhikkhu monk leads the Kathin procession around the temple (3 rounds) before offering to the Sangha.
Kathin hosts are concentrating on offering and dedicating to obtain goodness of merit emancipation (Athithaana Chitta).
To be qualified for Kathin offering, more than 4 monks are required to obtain the quorum of Sangha (Bhikkhu Monk Assembly)
Mantra chanting, observing precepts, dedicating and meditating.
Sangha assembled to finalize the Kathin ceremony with 1). announcing a valid candidate to receive Kathin robe, 2). Sangha expresses enthusiasm with the successful candidate, and 3). Sangha blesses the Kathin ceremony hosts and devotees.

Bon Pchum Ben Khmer or Cambodian Pchumben Ceremony for Ancestors

On Saturday, October 13, 2551 or 2007 there is a huge gathering of Cambodian-Canadian people in British Columbia province and vicinity to celebrate Khmer Pchum Ben. They are happily absorbed by good deeds they cultivated by giving alms food and four necessities, observing five precepts, and concentrating on Dhamma as well as good intentional mind.

Bon Pchum Ben or Khmer Festival for Ancestors is very important day for everybody to express their gratitude towards parents and ancestors that those people have granted them life as well as opportunity to achieve many good things in life. The celebration starts from full moon of 10th lunar month to full moon of 11th lunar month or starts from September 26 to October 11 this year (2007). During this 15 days, Cambodian people obligate themselves to accumulate goodness through offering (Dana), moral cultivation (Sila) and mindfulness development (Samadhi). Doing so, they can build happiness inside their mind as well as family, and they can spread the merits to their beloved ones. Overall, all Cambodians are aware of three essential teachings: to cultivate the good, to cleanse all evils and to purify their own muddy mind.

In that time also, they held an election to choose new president of Cambodian-Canada Buddhist Association of British Columbia. The result as Ven. Santi Palo described below:

I am pleased to inform you that the Election for the president of Khmer Buddist Association On the October 13th, 2007. There were three Candidates, Leng Sao, Doung Chham and Hem Moeun.

The votes counts were 166 votes. Leng Sao got 72 votes ( 44%), Doung Chham got 54 votes ( 33%) and Hem Moeun got 38 votes (23%).

Therefore Mr. Leng Sao is taking the President position from now on for the next two year.

Our congregations on two days of Celebrations were about 250 people.

Please see the attached pictures.

Regards,

Ven: santipalo

Laypeople are dedicating merits to their dead ancestors by giving offering to Bhikkhu Monk
Buddha statue and the sacred alter inside the monastery. Buddha statue is erected as the Master of Sangha.
Three community prominent leaders were casting their ballot.
Bhikkhu Monks were collecting alms food from the devotees.
Huge crowd were offering their food into almsbowl to dedicate to their ancestors and all beings.

Being humbly, concentrated mind, and fulfilling with Sadha are essential!

Buddhist Lent Retreat or Bonn Chol Preah Vassa

Buddhist Lent Retreat or Bonn Chol Preah Vassa is significantly practiced by Buddhist Sanga (monk order) and laypeople for more than 2551 years ago in the full moon of Asalha lunar month. The essential events to be commemorated and devoted in this occasion are as following:

1. The Sangha day or the day of monk order creation. In this day that Buddhists can have full three Triple Gem: Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha
   
2. Lord Buddha delivered his first teaching, Dhammacakka Vattana Sutta to his five disciples at Deer Park in Benares, India
3. Buddhists all over the world especially the monk order is preparing to stay in one particular place for three months (mostly from the end of July to the end of October). During this rain retreat hibernation allows all Buddhists to have full time in cleansing all evils, cultivating the good and purifying the mind.
4. It signifies the unity and harmony of human beings worldwide
   
5. 

Invitation Program for Buddhist Lent Retreat Ceremony at Watt Tepthidaram, Vancouver
Monk and devoted laypeople at Watt Tepthidaram

The current temporary resident of Watt Tepthidaram looking from in front at West direction
Looking from South to North in front of the temple, a red van is donated to the temple by a devotee
Looking across the front of the temple from North to South
Storage barn locates in the middle of the land...it is considered to be removed for the space
In front of the temple is a big apartment comprising of stores, bus stop, church and renting houses.

Watt Khmer Tepthidaram in BC

Welcome Everyone!

This is our privilege and pride to announce that Cambodian-Canadian Community in British Columbia of Canada has purchased the land to build the temple. This is a success from our long effort to have a place maintaining and growing our invaluable Khmer culture . Absolutely, Buddhism is the base and root of Khmer culture. In July 20, 2007 is the one year anniversary of our temple here.

We are appreciate to all of your loving-kindness and attention to this effort. We are grateful and thankful to your tireless efforts and kind contributions to make our dream become true. Our work is not yet ended, the project is ongoing and still needing a lot of support and energy.

You can come to see or visit our land and temple following below address:
Watt Tepthidaram
10450-140 Street
Surrey, B.C.
V3T 4N5, Canada
Phone: 604-583-8533

Our volunteers are clearing and smoothing the pavilion behind the temple
Tractor is also volunteering!
This picture looks from the middle surface of South-East of the temple. There are two shading trees.
Behind the temple that monk, laypeople and tractor are on the ground.
Public board in the middle of the land Eastern of the temple. It is the announcement board with to waving flags: Cambodia and Canada